Connected to the Vine

My life has been somewhat disorganized over the last few years. In the fall of 2020, my husband and I contracted COVID-19, and while my case was fairly mild, my husband ended up in the hospital for eleven days, three of which were in the intensive care unit. The accompanying isolation, shutdowns, and canceled trips became our new norm. In August of the following year, my husband was diagnosed with cancer.

Life changed dramatically with multiple procedures, appointments, tests, radiation, and chemo. It felt like we were on a roller coaster and could not get off. In the spring of 2022, we decided to start a raised bed garden using animal troughs we purchased. My husband did all he could, and I did most of the heavy work. We placed heavy stepping stones under the corner of each trough, and after we had placed a few, I became very tired.

With only two to go, he placed one in front of me, and I put the one in my hands on top and moved to take both to the other side of the trough.

As I did, I heard a loud pop, and pain instantly flooded my lower back. After an X-ray and MRI, I learned I had broken my lumbar spine in three places.

At that point we were both in bad physical shape, but God has seen us through the worst. My fractures have healed, and my pain has greatly diminished.

My husband is off his chemo and feels better.

Today I went out to water and trim a few plants in the yard and garden. Some of the extra cantaloupe vines needed to be cut back to allow the fruit-bearing vines a better chance to mature. The vines had become tangled, and in pruning them, I accidentally cut off the largest fruit from the vine. I felt sick. I had been checking faithfully each day on its progress. Now it was gone due to my carelessness. As I spoke to God about it, He gently reminded me that if a plant is not connected to the vine it will fail to grow. Instantly I realized the lesson He was trying to get across to me. With all the changes in my life, I had let my study and prayer life slip. I needed to reconnect to the Vine if I wanted to grow and be fruitful in the Lord.

How well are you connected to the Vine, my friend?

Sue Anderson